Jonathan and Amy Killen
Some of you may remember that Jonathan and Amy Killen have responded to a call to serve the Lord as missionaries. I have asked them to give us an update on what God has been doing, and make regular updates so we can support them in prayer, encouragement and other ways as the Lord leads. They will be needing to raise support, and I am sure there will be many other needs come up along the way. Please add them to your regular prayer list, and be open to how God would use you to support His work through them.
God's grace be multiplied to you all!
Vic
+++
Dear Shoals Cluster,

As several of you know, my wife Amy and I have been called to be full-time missionaries in Paraguay.  We are just starting the process, and there is a lot to do.  As part of that process, we are about to send out letters and our prayer cards (to just about everyone we know) introducing us as missionaries with The Mission Society.  This mail-out will include a letter from us, a letter from the Mission Society, and one of our prayer cards.  This will be a one-time mail-out, unless you respond to the letter saying you want to receive our newsletter (which we hope will be quarterly).  If you would like to be included in this one-time mail-out list, please email your postal mailing address to "
jonathan.killen@gmail.com".

Thank you so much for all your support and prayers for us in the past.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers and we go through this process and start raising our support.  In about 2 years we hope to be leaving for Costa Rica for 1 year of Spanish language school.  After that, we will be in Paraguay!  You can also get more information on our page at The Mission Society at
http://www.themissionsociety.org/people/Killen.

De Colores,
Jonathan & Amy Killen
|
Little Kate Burdette
Please pray for Little Kate, Linda Persall's granddaughter. She has been admitted to the hospital with dehydration and bad sore throat. Thank you all so much for your prayers.
Sandra Burfield
UPDATE:
I have just talked to Linda Persall and she is not in a place to use a computer, but she requests merciful prayers for Kate. She has gotten worse and will be sent to a different hospital (they are just waiting to be told where to take her).
Sheila Rhodes
UPDATE:
Little Kate Burdette, Linda Persall's granddaughter, is being sent to Birmingham. She is not responding to treatment and her family is concerned because she has had a bone marrow transplant in the past. Please continue to lift little Kate and her family up to our Precious Father.
Sandra Burfield
UPDATE:
I have just heard that little Kate is in very critical condition. The next 24 hours are critical. If she can make it for that long, she has a chance to make it. They almost lost her at 5:00 am, but she began to stabilize. Please continue to pray for a miracle in this situation.
God is good and merciful.
Sandra Burfield
UPDATE: 06/28/2008
We talked with Linda Persall today. She is in B'ham with all the family. Today is Katie's 7th birthday. Doc. are decreasing her vent/meds, so she won't be completely be sedated, hoping she can hear her birthday greetings from her family. She is stable for the moment, still in critical condition. Doc. determined there is an infection, fearing it may be attaching her heart since her beat rate is 205+_ Linda says they feel all the prayers . . . thanks and please keep them coming. For information at your fingertips, please access a website that Katie's mom keeps updated:
caringbridge.org/al/katiemay. This site was set up in Aug. 03, around the time of Katie's stem cell transplant. TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!
Dru
UPDATE: 06/29/2008
Just spoke with Linda Persall, still in B'ham. Doc. have diagnosed Katie as sepsis system (blood poison) and are treating her with heavy doses of antibiotics. They suspect she suffered a ruptured appendix last week. She is too weak to move for an MRI or to handle surgery. Alll her vital numbers are in the normal range. She is better; still listed as critical. Linda thanks you for your prayers and keep on praying for a little longer. They all feel your prayers.
Dru
UPDATE: 06/30/2008
I just talked with Linda and Kate is still critical, but her "numbers" are better and they have removed the crash cart from her room. She is still sedated, doesn't have a fever now, her BP is normal, but she is swollen. If you'd like to give Linda a call, her # is 366-8341. I
called to encourage her, but in true Linda style----she gave the most awesome story of witnessing to a man in the waiting room!!! Keep them all in your prayers.
Susan Cosby
+++
I checked the website and copied
the following news written by Linda's daughter, Lesley, Katie's mom:

"Doing great, off the epinephrine, dopamine in half, lots of clear urine. All means she's shedding fluid and not leaking more. Vent weaning slowly slowly b/c she's so weak. Will do a tiny bit of pediasure through tube to stomach hourly. Off fentanyl to reduce the sedation, still on verset. All doctors very pleased and nurses captivated by her charms, which seem to show through even when she's unconscious. Pray for waiting room friend Diane and son Ian - to get sodium regulated, correct sleep study, miraculous willingness to wear CPAP. I thought we were pitiful for Kate's missed birthday - Diane missed her wedding on Friday. Keep praying for us. Thanks, Lesley"
Dru
UPDATE: 07/04/2008
Dear Ones,
 
Just a note to wish all of you a happy 4th of July.  Kate is some better today and we are so thankful to the Lord God.  If you wish to read her daily update from Children's Hospital in B'ham and see a picture of her at her dance recital this last May, logon to:
 
caringbridg.org/al/katiemay
 
This is a great service the hospital provides and Lesley or Darryl are really true to put the info on there.
 
I came home Thursday night and will go back Monday or Tuesday, whenever they want me to.
 
Please keep Katie in your loving prayers, I know you already are and we can never tell you how much we
appreciate you. 
 
To God be the glory!
 
Love,
Linda and Vance
UPDATE: 07/12/2008
I copied the journal Kate's mom wrote yesterday.

Saturday, July 12, 2008 2:58 PM CDT

We have had a very big setback, please pray urgently. The doctors became
concerned today that Kate was agitated constantly and couldn't be calmed
down, and her body was getting rigid.

They had a neurologist come and look at her to see if there was any
explanation, and they decided to do a spinal tap to test for infections,
viruses, mitochondrial disorder, who knows what else.

They have completed the tap and she did fine, they sedated her and didn't
have to put back in the breathing tube. It's possible that they might have
to do an MRI later and that will require intebation.

The doctors don't have any idea what it is, what it could be. Please just
pray for Kate to miraculously recover.

Lesley


Check out their journal. Those sweet pictures will remind you to pray.

http://caringbridge.org/al/katiemay/

Patsy Killen
|
Vikki Reich
Please pray for Vikki Reich. She is in Birmingham today to have more tests. The tests are scheduled for today at noon. Please pray for Vikki and her husband Philip as well.
Thanks!
Susan
UPDATE: 07/07/2008
Please pray for Vikki Reich. She will see her doctor on 7/10 and will have another biopsy on 7/14. Please keep Vikki and Philip in your
prayers!
Susan
|
William Murray
Bob and Betsy's eldest son, William has gone to the ER with chest pains.  He has an enlarged heart, so the pains are a grave concern to his parents.  Pray for God's healing graces as he seeks treatment.  Also, pray for God's peace for his familyl. 
Martha Miller
|
Lillian
My Daddy and I have been supporting my friend, Lillian, six years. She lives in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe and with turmoil of the election I fear for the safety of her and her family. She is an ordained minister and loves the Lord with all her heart. Please lift Lillian and her country up in your prayers.
De Colores,
Jean Burns


Jean
Greetings to you my sister. How are you Macon,mum and dad, Neely, Gracie, Ronald, Joni and all our family there. How is the weather there? Its so cold here as its not at the middle of winter. Continue to pray for our safety and protection here and our upkeep my sister. The opposition to where everyone was looking at for hope in this situation has pulled out of the elections due to the violence and bloodshed here. Many are being killed and beaten. None is safe by we look up to God for our safety right now my sister. We have to keep indoors most of the time to be safe. We need the hand of the Lord over us. We really never thought the situation would get to this bad at all. We cannot believe it but there is nothing that we can do on our own. May God remember Zimbabwe surely especially right now as any moment later will be even more tragic for us. l will come to see if l had heard from you on Wednesday my sister its no longer safe to be out when not necessary here. l thank God that Tapiwa is still able to help us get the help here my sister.May God bless you all my family.
Lillian
|
Rick Mills - Praise Report!
Hal and Lori Mills' 17 year old son, Rick, was recently seriously injured during spring football training camp. He was rushed to Birmingham, paralyzed on one side. Doctors there said he had bruised his spinal cord, and could not say if he would ever walk again. To say it did not look good would be a gross understatement. However, Rick received a special visit from the Great Physician, and began to heal. Not only has he walked again, doctors say he will be able to return to playing baseball, his first love, although not football or bull riding. All bulls in the area breathed a sigh of relief! In all the rushing and commotion, the Cluster did not get out a prayer request, but I knew you would want to know how God worked in our community. Now, let us praise God together for His glorious grace and mercy!
Vic Watford
|
Fritz Dahlberg
Fritz Dahlberg, brother of a friend of mine (Bill), had a lung transplant several months ago and was doing very well until last night. He was re-admitted to the hospital with kidney failure and signs of pneumonia. Please pray for our Lord's miraculous touch to heal Fritz, if that be His will. Please also pray for his wife, Connie, their daughters, and Bill. They will all need the strength, comfort, and wisdom that only God can provide to make it through this difficult time.
Bill and I both thank you for your blessed prayers.
Julia Dixon
|
Joyce Lash; Matthew and Kayla Burbank
Joyce Lash, aunt of Kerri White (Walk 330), had part of her intestines removed last week. This evening (Thursday) she has been rushed into emergency surgery at Hunstville Hospital from possible complications and/or other problems. Joyce is scheduled to attend Walk 342. Please keep her and the family in your prayers.

Hold up my son Matthew and his wife Kayla and their unborn child in your prayers. Doctors think she may be having a miscarriage. Please pray for the health of mother and baby.

Randy & Debbie Burbank
|
Kristie
I have a friend that was charged with a misdemeanor a year ago and she has paid restitution and court cost and the Judge sentenced her to 30 days in jail. Please pray that the judge will change his mind and let her do community work or something. Her name is Kristie. She has a 12 year old boy, 8 year old girl and a six year old girl.  They will be devastated if she goes to jail.
Thanks
Jean Riley
|
Mary Ann Jenkins
Mary Ann Jenkins has just been diagnosed with bone cancer.  Her recent MRI will show if it is in her brain.  Her Dr. appt. is Thursday.  If the cancer has not spread to her brain, she can undergo further treatment....please pray that God's will was for it to stop before entering the brain.  Thanks so much!!!  This is a lovely lady!!!
Nancy Percio
|
Paige, Bailey & Parker
Visitation issues for Paige's children, Bailey & Parker, have gone from bad to almost unbearable emotional abuse for the children. 
 
Paige plans to meet with her attorney today, June 10, 3:00/4:00 p.m..  The family covets your prayers during this meeting, trusting Holy Spirit to lead to solutions for protection for the children.
 
God is Still in control; To Him be the glory, Dru
|
Susan Lard
Susan Lard, Connie Arnold's sister, fell (missed a step) during the weekend. Surgery is planned for Wednesday afternoon, June 11 to repair the right ankle and leg. Her ankle was broken in 2 places, and 2 or 3 inches above the ankle, the tibia and fibula are broken.  Connie is in Knoxville this week, as caretaker and to be there for the surgery.
 
 God Bless!  -Dru
|
Tia Ford
Please pray for Tia Ford, daughter of Bonnie and Jack Gross. She was in a car accident Sunday night and is in critical condition in Huntsville hospital. Also pray for her spiritual growth.
Anne Roy
|
Matthew, Nancy Lindsey's grandson
Please be in prayer for my family. My 2 year old grandson, Matthew, has been taken from his mother and placed in my care. It’s a terrible situation. I don’t know if he will remain with me or be returned to his mother. DHR is working on the case and it will be their decision. My son (Matthew’s father) is in the detention center for failure to pay child support. My heart is torn. While the idea of raising another child at my age is a numbing thought, neither of his parents is capable of taking care of him. Please pray that God’s will is done in this situation and for me to have peace with whatever decision is made. Just knowing that the Emmaus Community will be praying for me has already given me peace. Thank you all for your faithfulness.
Nancy Lindsey
|
Tom Bowles
Please add my uncle, Tom Bowles, to the prayer list. This is my dad's twin brother and he is 86. He was taken to ECM this morning with what appears to be a mild stroke, although tests have not confirmed this yet. His speech has been affected slightly and his left hand is clumsy (he is left-handed!) More tests will be done tomorrow. He is in good spirits and joked with me a little when I visited today. Please lift him up, as well as his five sons, four of whom live in Louisiana.
God bless you!
Sandra Lair

Please read the updates by clicking
just below the line under this entry!
|
Josh Whitten
Josh called saturday afternoon saying he had got up this morning with his back hurting real bad, and was passing blood in his urine. Of course, I told him he needed to go to the doctor and check it out. After seeing him, the doctor had him admitted to the hospital for tests. Deborah is on the way to Jonesboro,Arkansas at this moment. pray that there is nothing serious wrong with Josh, and that Deborah makes it there safely.
Michael Whitten

UPDATE: 06/02/2008
Update on josh whitten: just talked to Deborah, catscan verified that it's a large kidney stone. Will have to have laser surgery tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers.

UPDATE: Thanks for all your prayers on Josh behalf. After a long wait, he finally went in for surgery at 8pm, today. We were afraid the doctors would have to literally remove the stone; however, all went well. They was able to break up the stone where he will be able to pass them. The LORD is good; prayers can be answered.
|
Read This First